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24 Jun 2016

Human Rights Watch denounces Singapore Govt

by Greyson Cooke

Singapore’s ban on foreign companies sponsoring the annual Pink Dot gay-pride event infringes freedom of expression in the city state

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a statement commenting on the actions of Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry as they called on corporate sponsors of the event to cease their support for Pink Dot earlier this month.

“Singapore’s demand that foreign companies stop sponsoring PinkDot encourages corporations to discriminate against LGBT people,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW. “This is not only reprehensible toward LGBT people, but to corporations that have pledged to eliminate bias in their corporate practices.”
“The government’s June 7 statement to companies not only encourages discrimination against LGBT people, it threatens the fundamental rights of all Singaporeans,” Adams went on to say. “Such incitement to discrimination is a stain on the country’s reputation as a welcome home for international business.”
The Home Affairs Ministry statement on June 7 stated “foreign entities should not interfere in our domestic issues, especially political issues or controversial social issues with political overtones … LGBTI issues are one such example.”
HRW has also sent a letter to Home Minister K. Shanmugam, according to newswire Reuters.
"The ministry's June 7 statement sends a discriminatory message to Pink Dot’s corporate sponsors that their support for the festival is contrary to government policy," the letter read according to Reuters.
"This infringes on rights to freedom of expression, which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees to 'everyone', and pressures corporations to act in contravention of their responsibilities under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” it went on to say.
HRW often flags Singapore’s poor record on human rights, particularly for LGBT.
Under Singapore law, sex between men is punishable by a jail term, though prosecutions are rare. Last year Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that Singapore was not ready for same-sexmarriage.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a statement commenting on the actions of Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry as they called on corporate sponsors of the event to cease their support for Pink Dot earlier this month.

“Singapore’s demand that foreign companies stop sponsoring PinkDot encourages corporations to discriminate against LGBT people,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW. “This is not only reprehensible toward LGBT people, but to corporations that have pledged to eliminate bias in their corporate practices.”

“The government’s June 7 statement to companies not only encourages discrimination against LGBT people, it threatens the fundamental rights of all Singaporeans,” Adams went on to say. “Such incitement to discrimination is a stain on the country’s reputation as a welcome home for international business.”

The Home Affairs Ministry statement on June 7 stated “foreign entities should not interfere in our domestic issues, especially political issues or controversial social issues with political overtones … LGBTI issues are one such example.

”HRW has also sent a letter to Home Minister K. Shanmugam, according to newswire Reuters."

The ministry's June 7 statement sends a discriminatory message to Pink Dot’s corporate sponsors that their support for the festival is contrary to government policy," the letter read according to Reuters.

"This infringes on rights to freedom of expression, which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees to 'everyone', and pressures corporations to act in contravention of their responsibilities under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” it went on to say.

HRW often flags Singapore’s poor record on human rights, particularly for LGBT.Under Singapore law, sex between men is punishable by a jail term, though prosecutions are rare. Last year Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that Singapore was not ready for same-sex marriage.

singapore, Pink Dot Sg, human rights watch, Singapore Pride
Singapore